Endocrine Abstracts

Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) increases life expectancy and improves diabetic patients’ quality of life. 17 type 1 diabetic patients and 159 type 2 diabetic patients’ files were randomly evaluated to evaluate SMBG practice patterns in our hospital. All type 1 patients used insulin, while 38 type 2 diabetic patients used drug only, 35 type 2 diabetic patients used drugs in combination with insulin and 86 type 2 diabetic patients used insulin only. 90.3% of our patients owned a glucometer. Although, this high percentage one of the type 1 and nine of the type 2 diabetic patients did not practice SMBG despite owning a glucometer. 23.5% of type 1 diabetic patients and 47.2% of type 2 diabetic patients only measured their fasting glucose levels. 11.8% of type 1 diabetic patients and 4.4% of type 2 diabetic patients only measured their postprandial glucose levels. 58.8% of type 1 diabetic patients and 40.9% of type 2 diabetic patients measured fasting and postprandial glucose levels. Only a minority (33.3%) of those using insulin practiced daily SMBG. Seven patients of those using insulin did not practice SMBG. 31 patients reported to examine their blood glucose levels if they were symptomatic. 20 patients monitored their blood glucose weekly, three patients once monthly and 15 every second day. Seven patients checked their blood glucose level twice daily, three patients three times, five patients four times, and one patient checked their blood glucose levels six times daily. Adjusting the insulin dose according to SMBG levels is performed only in 39.1% of patients. 84 patients do not make an adjustment of the insulin dose despite performing SMBG. 56 patients did never check postprandial glucose levels. In summary the majority of our patients does not perform SMBG levels adequately and do not adjust their medicament doses or insulin doses.